The geopolitical climate in the US is getting worse for scientists. According to Nature, 75% of them would consider moving to Europe. A perfect opportunity for our little country, according to the Dutch government. NWO already announced plans for active recruitment. High time to lure the most excellent scientists from all over the world to the Netherlands.  

Sounds like a nice idea, but the fact is that the budget for education and science in the Netherlands has just been severely cut. Universities are facing vacancy stops, research groups are being dissolved, and at the University of Twente teachers and researchers are being fired en masse.  

There is no extra money available to reverse the ‘brain drain’ from the US back to the Netherlands. Does this mean we will use the little there is left to lure foreign talent over? We also have talent right here in the Netherlands, you know, but they have all just been fired or barely have a chance to start a career. Should we, at their expense, create positions for international top researchers who will probably be fired again in a few years due to a lack of budget?  

Some advice for Dutch scientists: the University of Brussels is also freeing up money to attract international talent…